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Uses

What is Velsipity used for?

Velsipity is commonly used to treat ulcerative colitis (UC). 

Managing Ulcerative Colitis With Velsipity

Velsipity may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does Velsipity work (mechanism of action)?

Your immune system uses white blood cells to fight infection. In people with ulcerative colitis, the immune system mistakenly sees parts of the colon as harmful and sends too many white blood cells into the area. This causes inflammation. Velsipity stops these white blood cells from getting into your colon, helping to control inflammation. 

How is Velsipity supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Velsipity

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 2 mg oral tablets

How should I store Velsipity?

Velsipity should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Velsipity?

The most common side effects of Velsipity are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Headache
  • Elevated liver function tests
  • Dizziness

There may be other side effects of Velsipity that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Velsipity?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Velsipity are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Velsipity may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Velsipity and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Infection. Velsipity can increase the risk of infections, including serious infections. This can occur while taking Velsipity and for up to five weeks after stopping Velsipity. Call your healthcare provider if you have an infection or any of the following symptoms.

  • Burning or stinging when you pee or peeing more often than usual
  • Cough or coughing up blood
  • Fever, sweats, chills, or muscle aches
  • Tiredness
  • Headache with fever or neck stiffness
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Nausea or confusion
  • Shortness of breath
  • Diarrhea or stomach pain
  • Weight loss

Heart Rate Changes. Velsipity can make your heart beat slower than normal (bradycardia) and can change your heart rhythm. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of bradycardia. 

  • Feeling lightheaded, dizziness, or fainting
  • Changes in your heart rate or rhythm, including slow, or skipping heartbeat
  • Confusion
  • Feeling weak or easily tired 
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking Velsipity. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach or belly pain
  • Fever
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Itching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Light-colored poop
  • Dark-colored urine (pee)
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Vision Problems. Velsipity may increase your risk of macular edema. Macular edema happens when fluid builds up in the back of your eye. Your healthcare provider will likely check your vision before you start taking Velsipity. Keep any scheduled eye exams. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms suggestive of macular edema. 

  • Blurriness or shadows in the middle of your vision
  • Sensitivity to light
  • A blind spot in the middle of your vision
  • Unusually colored or tinted vision

Increased Blood Pressure (Hypertension). Velsipity may increase your blood pressure or make it worse if you have a history of high blood pressure. Call your healthcare provider if your blood pressure increases while taking this medicine.

If you measure your blood pressure and the top number (systolic) is 180 mm Hg or higher or the bottom number (diastolic) is 120 mm Hg or higher, get medical attention right away. Increases in blood pressure may not be noticeable but look out for any of the following symptoms of severely high blood pressure.

  • Sudden severe headache
  • Chest pain
  • Dizziness or confusion
  • Trouble breathing
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Blurry or other changes to vision
  • Anxiety
  • Buzzing in the ears
  • Nosebleed
  • Feeling of skipped heartbeats

Skin Cancer. Velsipity can increase your risk of developing certain skin cancers including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Wearing protective clothing and using sunscreen can help. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any changes in the appearance of your skin. 

Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES). Velsipity may cause a rare but serious brain condition called PRES. PRES involves swelling and narrowing of blood vessels in your brain. If PRES is not treated, it can lead to a stroke. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have the following symptoms of PRES.

  • Changes in thinking or behavior
  • Confusion or hallucinations
  • Sudden decrease or change in vision
  • Sudden severe headache
  • Seizure

Breathing Problems. Velsipity can cause breathing problems. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have shortness of breath or new or worsening breathing problems. 

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Velsipity?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Velsipity.

  • Velsipity
  • Etrasimod
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Velsipity.

Heart Problems. You should not take Velsipity if you have had any of the following heart problems in the last six months.

Heart Rhythm Problems. You should not take Velsipity if you have any of the following heart rhythm problems unless you have a working pacemaker.

What should I know about Velsipity before using it?

Swallow the tablets whole. 

It is recommended that women use contraception (birth control, condoms, etc.) while taking Velsipity and for one week after stopping Velsipity. Talk to your healthcare provider about different contraception options. 

Velsipity can affect coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require coordination until you know how Velsipity affects you.

Do not take Velsipity unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share Velsipity with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Velsipity out of the reach of children.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Velsipity?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Velsipity is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Vaccines. You should not receive any live vaccines at least four weeks before taking Velsipity, while taking Velsipity, and for five weeks after taking Velsipity. Tell your healthcare provider if you have recently received a live vaccine or have any scheduled.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Velsipity may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking Velsipity, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Chickenpox. Tell your healthcare provider if you have chickenpox or have received the vaccine for chickenpox. Your healthcare provider may do a blood test to check for the chickenpox virus. Depending on the results of your blood test, your healthcare provider may ask you to get a full course of the chickenpox vaccine at least four weeks before you start Velsipity.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had a history of any of the following.

  • Weak immune system (immunocompromised) or repeating infections
  • Slow heart rate
  • Irregular or abnormal heartbeat 
  • Heart disease, heart failure, high blood pressure, or heart attack
  • Conditions that affect blood flow to the brain or history of a stroke or ministroke
  • Repeated fainting
  • Liver problems
  • Skin cancer
  • Breathing problems, including untreated sleep apnea

Pregnancy. Velsipity may cause harm to an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take Velsipity while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking Velsipity, you can register for the Velsipity Pregnancy Registry by calling 800-616-3791. This registry collects safety information about the use of Velsipity during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Velsipity passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take Velsipity while breastfeeding.

How can I get more information about Velsipity?

For more information about Velsipity, you can visit the manufacturer’s website at www.velsipity.com or call them at 800-438-1985.

Interactions

Does Velsipity interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Velsipity and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Velsipity. The risk of dizziness may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking Velsipity.

Does Velsipity interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking Velsipity.

  • A medicine used to control your heart rate or rhythm 
  • Medicines that can cause QT prolongation, which is a potentially dangerous heart rhythm problem, such as quinidine, procainamide, amiodarone, and sotalol
  • A beta-blocker, such as metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL, and others), atenolol (Tenormin), or propranolol (Inderal LA, Innopran XL), which is a medicine that may be used for certain heart conditions or to reduce blood pressure
  • Diltiazem (Cardizem CD and others), which is a medicine used for high blood pressure and other conditions
  • Verapamil (Verelan, Verelan PM), which is a medicine used for high blood pressure or chest pain
  • A medicine for cancer
  • A medicine that affects how your immune system works 
  • Rifampin, which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
  • Fluconazole (Diflucan), which is a medicine used for fungal infections

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of Velsipity. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Velsipity. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Velsipity?

If you or someone else has used too much Velsipity, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Velsipity?

If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses. 

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